Mind & Mood
Ask the doctor: Can migraines lead to memory loss?
Q. I have frequent migraine headaches. Does this increase my risk of memory loss or dementia?
A. This is a logical question, given that some studies have linked migraine headaches to an increased risk of symptomatic stroke as well as "silent" stroke. As we wrote in June, multiple "silent" or unnoticed strokes may lead to progressive memory loss, cognitive decline, and dementia. Your question is particularly important for women, since we are more likely to have migraine headaches than men, and we also have a higher prevalence of dementia.
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